BLACK Friday is the perfect time to find deals on Apple products – and one hugely popular item that shoppers search for are AirPods.
The iconic white wireless earbuds are considered one of the best examples of such tech on the market – and if there's any of time of year when you're likely to find the AirPods or AirPods Pro on sale, it's at the end of November.
- (UK) Apple Airpods deals – shop at Amazon UK
- (US) Apple Airpods deals – shop at Amazon US
Of all the tech products you'll see on sale during Black Friday, AirPods are always highly sought after – and while Apple's devices rarely see huge savings, you can still pick up these up at a discount.
On this page, we've put together a list of the best Black Friday price on Apple's legendary earbuds line. We've included a guide price next to each item to see what counts as a 'deal' at this time of year.
For the best deals and offers on other Apple items, don't miss our pick of the best Black Friday iPhone deals or Black Friday Apple deals.
Apple has just launched its new generation of smartphones too: don't miss our pick of the best plans and SIM-free prices on our best iPhone 14 deals page.
Black Friday AirPods deals: Best deals live now
Black Friday might be months away but we're still seeing the odd price drop on a number of Apple Airpods every now and again. Read on for all the best prices on the Airpods, Airpods Pro and Airpods Max – and if you're also in the market for an Apple handset, it's worth seeing what's listed on our best iPhone deals page.
1. Apple Airpods Pro (2nd generation, 2022)
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Apple has upgraded the audio performance and active noise cancelling, and extended the battery life on the previous model, and has built significantly upon the successes of the original 2019 release.
Both the case and AirPods Pro of this generation are IPX4 sweat and water-resistant, and the MagSafe case also has a built-in speaker.
We're unsure if there will be any Airpods Pro Black Friday deals up for grabs on the new model, but we're certainly expecting some on the first-generation earbuds – see below.
- (UK) Apple Airpods Pro (2nd Gen), £249 at Very – shop here
- (US) Apple Airpods Pro (2nd Gen), $249 at Amazon – shop here
2. Apple AirPods Pro (1st generation, 2019)
6 Guide Price: £199 / $219 The Apple AirPods Pro are the brand's higher-spec earbuds. The main feature they offer that both the 2nd- and 3rd-generation AirPods don't is ANC (audio noise cancellation) technology: essentially, that's a low-level hiss that helps drown out any unwanted ambient noise.
This makes the Airpods Pro perfect for noisy commutes, or even just to banish that dreadful music that's being played at your gym.
Since they've now been surpassed by the second-generation Airpods Pro, we're keeping our fingers crossed for all-time new low prices on the original earbuds – it's down to you whether you wish to spend more on the newer model.
- (UK) Apple AirPods Pro (1st generation), £199 at Amazon – shop here
- (US) Apple AirPods Pro (1st generation), $169 at Target – shop here
3. Apple AirPods (2nd generation)
6 Guide price: £139 / $129 The second-generation AirPods were released back in 2019, so while they're not quite vintage, they've certainly been around the block.
So while Apple tech rarely drops that rapidly in price, we've still been very happy to see these older-model earbuds fall into double digits… just. Right now you can pick up the 2nd-gen AirPods for £109 at Very – they've fallen in the past to £99, mind.
Let's hope we see them fall even further in price by the time Black Friday rolls around.
- (UK) Apple AirPods 2nd gen, £129 at Very – shop here
- (US) Apple AirPods 2nd gen, $89.99 at Target – shop here
4. Apple AirPods (3rd generation)
6 Guide Price: £179 / $169 The newer version of the AirPods, meanwhile, are significantly pricier than the second-gen earbuds as you would probably expect.
In terms of specs, they boast almost 2 hours extra battery life, plus the case is water-resistant and they're compatible with Apple's Magsafe charger.
Ultimately, what turns us off the 2021 AirPods is how close they are in price to the AirPods Pro – though come Black Friday, that could easily change.
We've seen them fall to £169 before and that deal figure will like be improved upon in November.
- (UK) Apple Airpods (3rd Gen), £179 at Amazon – shop here
- (US) Apple Airpods (3rd Gen), $169 at Walmart – shop here
5. Apple AirPods Max
6 Guide Price: £549 / $549 If you're not a fair of in-ear audio tech, take a look at Apple's high-end over-ear options isn't.
Nope, cheap they ain't, but the wireless AirPods Max will deliver the sound profile and all-round quality that would would expect from the wider range.
They're currently £465 on Amazon, but we've seen that price falls to £399.99 and we wouldn't be surprised if that's improved upon during the Black Friday sales.
- (UK) Apple AirPods Max, from £499 at Amazon – shop here
- (US) Apple Airpods Max, $549 at Target – shop here
How much will AirPods be on Black Friday?
Last year, we saw the AirPods Pro fall to a (then) all-time low of £179 – so our guess is that number will fall even lower this year.
Also, last year saw the release of the 3rd-generation AirPods, which of course has had an impact on the price of their predecessors, the 2nd-generation AirPods.
Since then, the lowest we have seen the older AirPods drop to on Amazon is £99, and we're confident that figure will drop further for Black Friday 2022.
If previous Black Fridays are anything to go by, we expect retailers to engage in a price-matching war as Black Friday draws nearer. This could involve stores like Amazon and Very undercutting each other by just one or two pounds. It's that competitive at this time of year.
When is Black Friday 2022?
Black Friday falls the day after Thanksgiving is celebrated in America – this is something that's observed without fail.
As American Thanksgiving is always the fourth Thursday of November, Black Friday by extension is the fourth Friday of the month.
That means that Black Friday 2022 will be on Friday, November 25 – deal-hunters, pop that date in your diaries!
When is Cyber Monday 2022?
Cyber Monday this year takes place on Monday 28 November: it's always the Monday directly after Black Friday.
You might find some more AirPods deals available on Cyber Monday but frankly, we think it's unlikely.
The day is waning in significance: historically, Cyber Monday was always a day of online-only deals, whereas the bulk of Black Friday deals only took place in-store.
But that's rarely the case these days, so Cyber Monday is often just an opportunity for retailers to drop prices further on items that at aren't selling, though you may still find the odd gem surface online.
Apple AirPods Black Friday 2022 deals to look out for
There have been no newly-released AirPods this year, which means mixed things for Black Friday deals to keep an eye out for.
It was way back in September 2021 that the 3rd-generation Apple AirPods were released with an RRP of £169, and since then we've seen them fall as low as £135 on Amazon.
Our guess is that price will be beaten, but likely not be much: by £5 or £10 perhaps.
Those looking for AirPods at a seriously competitive price should pay more attention to the 2nd-generation AirPods, which are currently £99 on Amazon – they'll almost definitely drop further in price.
As the noise-cancelling AirPods Pro – which have yet to be succeeded by a second generation – we imagine prices will dip a little beneath the current all-time-low of £178, but again, not by much much.
The best way to stay on top of all the latest deals and price drops when Black Friday 2022 rolls around is simple: bookmark this page, and keep checking in.
Which retailers will have deals on AirPods?
We'd keep an eye on the following retailers for Black Friday AirPods offers: UK retailers
- Amazon
- AO
- Argos
- Currys PC World
- John Lewis
- Laptops Direct
- Very
US retailers
- Amazon
- Walmart
- Target
- Best Buy
- B&H
How to connect AirPods
- To connect to an iPhone make sure the iPhone is up to date with the latest iOS release
- Hold the AirPods in the open charging case close to the iPhone
- Once you see an animation on your iPhone display tap 'Connect''
- Follow the setup guidance on the iPhone screen for AirPods or AirPods Pro
- You will need to set up "Hey Siri" on your iPhone if you haven't already done so
- Once completed, tap 'done'
- Your AirPods should automatically be set up with any other supported devices logged into iCloud under your Apple ID.
More Apple Black Friday Deals
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- iPhone 12 Black Friday deals
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How much are AirPods?
That depends on the generation you pick.
In recent months, we've seen the second-generation AirPods fluctuate between £99 and £129, and we confident they'll at least return to £99 for Black Friday.
Meanwhile, the newer third-generation AirPods are currently on sale for £179 – now a year old, we wouldn't be surprised if they drop by £10 to £20 later in November.
Are AirPods waterproof?
No. AirPods have an IPX4 rating, which means they are dust- and splash-resistant.
While this makes them a good fit for gym workouts and surviving being splashed with water, they are not waterproof. Submerging AirPods in water, which waterproof items can survive for a specific time depending on rating, is very likely to break them.
How to clean AirPods
You should be careful when cleaning AirPods. Avoid using liquids or cleaning products which might be abrasive, or may enter part of the earbuds.
Apple recommends a "soft, dry, lint-free cloth" for cleaning the outer casing of AirPods. For the speaker mesh and microphone, Apple recommends "a dry cotton swab".
How to reset AirPods
To reset your AirPods you can follow these easy steps:
- Close the lid on your charging case and place your AirPods inside.
- Wait 30 seconds before continuing.
- Open the lid on your charging case.
- Go to Settings > Bluetooth on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch and hit the "i" symbol next to your AirPods. (If your AirPods aren't visible in Settings > Bluetooth, skip to the next step.)
- Press Forget This Device and confirm.
- Press and hold the setup button on the back of the case, with the lid open, for around 15 seconds, until the status light flashes amber, then white.
- Reconnect the AirPods by placing them near your smartphone with the lid open. Follow the instructions on the screen of your smartphone to complete the re-connection.
More Amazing Black Friday Deals
- Selfridges Black Friday deals
- Amazon Black Friday deals
- Currys Black Friday deals
- John Lewis Black Friday deals
- Argos Black Friday deals
- Very Black Friday deals
Do AirPods work with Android?
AirPods work with any Bluetooth-enabled device, which includes most Android, as well as most Windows computers and certain smart TVs.
Although AirPods do work with Android devices, it is worth keeping in mind that you will lose out on several handy features when you use them on non-Apple platforms, such as Siri, ear detection and customisable double-tap functions.
What is the difference between AirPods and AirPods Pro?
The original AirPods which launched in 2016 have been discontinued, and a 2nd generation was launched in March 2019. When ordering from Apple, the latest generation Apple AirPods (which came out in 2019), have an option of a wireless charging case.
They also include improved battery life and smart Siri assistant functionality and cost £159. Other retailers often have two prices for the 2nd generation model: around £159 for the AirPods with the wireless charging case, and £130 with the wired case.
In October 2019, Apple announced its premium version of the AirPods, the AirPods Pro – which now cost £249 directly from Apple. The Pro earbuds not only include active noise cancellation (ANC), but are also water resistant and come with a selection of ear-tips for improved comfort. The wireless charging case comes as standard with the AirPods Pro.
Will Apple have Black Friday deals?
Apple doesn't do a Black Friday sale, but the tech giant does tend to offer vouchers to customers who have bought products from the Apple store over the Black Friday sale.
How much does Apple AirPods delivery cost?
Delivery from the official Apple website is free for AirPods, or £4.80 for express delivery. Meanwhile, next-day delivery on Amazon is free for Prime members, and a number of retailers will send AirPods free due to their price. However, prices will obviously vary between retailers.
Does Apple offer any other discounts?
Apple does not tend to offer discounts on its own website, but you will likely to be able to find Black Friday discounts on other Apple products like iPhones and Macs through other retailers.
Our tips for finding the best deals this Black Friday and Cyber Monday
IT might be tempting to dive in and snap up LOADS of items on Black Friday and Cyber Monday, but here’s how you can guarantee you’re getting a good deal.
PREPARE Research the items you want to buy and find out the cheapest price. Websites like PriceSpy, PriceHistory and CamelCamelCamel will give you historical data on prices so you can see how much you should pay.
GET FOLLOWING Follow your favourite shops on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and sign up to its deals newsletter to get the latest on any offers. We post the best deals in our Sun Money FB group too.
CHECK FOR CODES Take a look at The Sun Vouchers, and see if you can get extra savings with discount codes.
Enjoyed our round-up of Apple AirPod Black Friday deals? Find out all about Black Friday here.
Don't forget to check out Sun Selects Tech for round-ups and comparisons of the best tech products.
For a wider range of products recommendations, head to the main Sun Selects page.
We've also picked out the best Ring Doorbell Black Friday deals.
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